It’s hard to believe it’s been 9.5 years since I was appointed to teach conducting and conduct at the
@officialuom @uommusic 🎶
I first joined as conductor of
@uom_chorus with a vision to build a choral programme that brought together our brilliant choirs, chorus and strengthen our choral conducting offer. That vision was shaped by what
@markconductor had already created within the instrumental strand of performance during his time as Artistic Director of
@uommusicsociety - MUMS. I benefited hugely from Mark’s teaching and leadership as a student — when something works, it works, and Manchester is proof of that.
Today,
@tomnewall leads the choral programme with such passion and care for the student experience. What a colleague to have. I feel privileged to serve as Artistic Director of MUMS, the largest student-led music society in the country, and to work with so many talented young musicians each year.
One of the great joys of my role is teaching a select group of undergraduate students who major in conducting. Watching them grow — musically, technically, and personally — is extraordinary.
And this year has been a particularly proud one. In the last few weeks alone, three former Manchester students — Katherine Stonham,
@eleanorjarvismusic and
@morley_nat — have been offered places on the prestigious
@rncmlive @rncmconducting Northern College of Music Masters in Conducting (led by Mark Heron).
At the end of term a few weeks ago,
@annecharlotte.music @mosslouis_ and
@scottmansonmusic delivered outstanding conducting recitals. I can’t wait to see where their next chapters will take them. They are in the first picture. Look at the smiling faces in previous years, and spot the pandemic conductor photo!
Manchester has a proud tradition of conducting training, and I’m grateful to play a part in that alongside Tom — and to continue building on the foundations Mark Heron laid. Here’s to the next generation of conductors, and to the privilege of helping them find their voice.
P.S I don't have pics of ALL my ex students after exams. If you are here and see this, please share!
#conductor #teaching #empoweringleadership
